Commerce, Industry and Textile and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on Thursday said the government has adequate food stocks to keep the market stable during the upcoming month of Ramadan.

He said one of the key responsibilities of the Ministry of Commerce is to keep prices of essential commodities stable, and this duty becomes more important during Ramadan.

“Although there was no time to take special steps after assuming office, the existing stock situation is positive and sufficient to maintain price stability,” he added.

The minister made the remarks while replying to journalists after exchanging greetings with officials of different government departments and party leaders at Osmani International Airport.

Responding to a question on development plans for Sylhet, he said he had highlighted these plans during his long election campaign and in the election manifesto.

He said the he wants to work on issues directly linked to improving the living standards of people in Sylhet.

He said priority will be given to job creation, expansion of IT-related professions and the establishment of an AI centre in the region.

The minister said Bangladesh must build capacity to compete globally. Over the next five years, the government will use every day effectively to move the country forward in the global arena with sincerity.

Replying to a question on job creation at the Sylhet IT park, he said investment is essential to create employment.

He said special policy support is needed for expatriate and local investors in Sylhet, adding that work is underway and visible progress will be seen soon.

Among others, Sylhet-3 MP MA Malek, Divisional Commissioner Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi, Range DIG Md Mushfekur Rahman, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, the acting president of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP, and other party leaders were present at the time.